Diploma in Wood-Metal Joints and Adhesives
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in wood-metal joints and adhesives: 8 modules covering wooden vehicle structures, material properties, mechanical and adhesive joints, hybrid joint design, fabrication, repair, protection and finishing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Wood-Metal Joints and Adhesives — studying from New Zealand
Vehicle restoration and classic engine work in New Zealand is supported by an active enthusiast community and a well-established network of specialist workshops, particularly around the main centres. Historic vehicle registration and compliance fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand promotes preservation of historic vehicles. Restoration professionals often combine fabrication, engineering and heritage conservation skills.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$3,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is restoration engineering recognised by a professional body in New Zealand?
There is no specific statutory register for classic vehicle or heritage restoration engineers in New Zealand. Heritage matters can involve Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and vehicle roadworthiness is governed by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their value depends on the employer or client.
Where do classic restoration specialists work in New Zealand?
Work is found in independent restoration workshops, classic car dealers, museums, and specialist fabrication businesses, many clustered around the main centres. Clients and employers usually judge by workmanship and a portfolio of completed restorations. A private qualification may complement that evidence but is rarely a deciding factor on its own.
Can I study this while running or working in a workshop here?
Yes. The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in New Zealand without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. An assigned technical tutor supports you, and fees can be paid in instalments.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand wooden structures in historic vehicles.
Analyse the compatibility between wood and metal.
Design suitable mechanical joints.
Produce durable wood-metal adhesive joints.
Design hybrid joints using engineering criteria.
Fabricate and repair structural timber components.
Protect and maintain joints in service.
Who it's for
- Wooden coachbuilders
- Classic vehicle restorers
- Structural cabinetmakers
- Adhesive bonding technicians
- Classic boat restorers
- Industrial heritage conservation technicians
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic vehicle restoration
What you'll work with
- EN 204 (classification of thermoplastic wood adhesives for non-structural applications)
- ISO 4587 (lap-shear strength of rigid-to-rigid bonded assemblies)
- EN 205 (determination of tensile shear strength of lap joints in wood adhesives)
- EN 350 (durability of wood and wood-based products)
- ISO 10365 (designation of main failure patterns in adhesive joints)
- FIVA Turin Charter (principles for the preservation of historic vehicles)
- SolidWorks
- Ansys Mechanical
- Fusion 360
- VCarve Pro
8 modules
1.1Ash frames in coachwork1.2Woodie vehicles and wooden coachbuilt bodies1.3Vans and service vehicles with timber1.4Floors and load beds1.5Sheet metal joined to a wooden frame1.6Timber species and their behaviour1.7History of composite construction1.8Common defects1.9Conservation criteria1.10Workshop: analysis of a body frame
2.1Anisotropy and shrinkage of wood2.2Moisture content and equilibrium2.3Density and mechanical strength2.4Natural durability2.5Properties of steels and aluminium2.6Differential thermal expansion2.7Corrosion of metals in contact with wood2.8Tannins and attack on steel2.9Chemical compatibility2.10Practical: measuring moisture in ash components
3.1Wood screws3.2Through bolts and recessed nuts3.3Rivets in composite joints3.4Threaded inserts3.5Metal plates and brackets3.6Reinforced traditional joinery joints3.7Preloading and loosening3.8Protection of holes3.9Load distribution3.10Case study: design of a bolted joint in a door pillar
4.1Epoxy adhesives for wood and metal4.2Structural polyurethanes4.3Adhesives classified D1 to D4 according to EN 2044.4Wood preparation4.5Metal preparation and primers4.6Bondline thickness and gap filling4.7Curing and temperature4.8Durability against moisture4.9ISO 4587 shear test4.10Laboratory: wood-aluminium joint specimens
5.1Loads on bodies and chassis5.2Stress concentrations5.3Hybrid bolted and bonded joints5.4Expansion joints5.5Corrosion barriers5.6Drainage and ventilation5.7Finite element modelling5.8Safety factors5.9Design documentation5.10Practical: finite element analysis of a joint
6.1Timber selection and drying6.2Templates and copying of parts6.3Steam bending and laminating6.4CNC machining6.5Grafts and partial repairs6.6Consolidation of degraded wood6.7Replacement of metal parts6.8Assembly on the chassis6.9Dimensional inspection6.10Workshop: reproduction of an ash pillar
7.1Fungicidal and insecticidal treatments7.2End-grain sealers7.3Metal primers7.4Marine varnishes7.5Period paints7.6Seals and fillers7.7Periodic maintenance7.8Inspection of joints in service7.9Reversibility criteria7.10Case study: maintenance plan for a woodie body
8.1Selection of the part or assembly8.2Diagnosis of the structure8.3Load analysis8.4Joint design8.5Selection of adhesives and fasteners8.6Validation tests8.7Fabrication and assembly8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, Ansys Mechanical, Fusion 360 and VCarve Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for shear testing of wood-metal joints, reproduction of ash body frames and corrosion diagnosis in composite joints. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: EN 204, ISO 4587, EN 205, EN 350, ISO 10365, FIVA Turin Charter.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SolidWorks, Ansys Mechanical, Fusion 360 and VCarve Pro, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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